In the serene setting of the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, India's spin duo, Kuldeep Yadav and R Ashwin, orchestrated a masterclass in spin bowling, leading to England's collapse on the opening day of the final Test. Kuldeep, with his mesmerizing spin, emerged as the highlight of the day, claiming 5 wickets, his 4th 5-wicket haul in Tests, leaving the English batsmen bewildered by his guile. R Ashwin, commemorating his 100th Test appearance, complemented Kuldeep's efforts with a commendable 4/51, ensuring the visitors struggled to capitalize on their decision to bat first on a seemingly batsman-friendly pitch.
The day started positively for England, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett combining for a promising 64-run partnership, setting a solid foundation. Crawley, demonstrating his class, scored an impressive 79 but eventually succumbed to Kuldeep's cunning. The partnership of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, with the latter featuring in his 100th Test, advanced England's cause to 175/3, hinting at a potential recovery and a competitive total.
However, the narrative took a dramatic turn as England, from a comfortable 175/3, spectacularly collapsed to 183/8. This sudden disintegration saw the team losing 5 wickets for a mere 8 runs, underlining India's spin dominance and England's inability to counter the assault. Ashwin, initially subdued, sprung into action against England's lower order, wrapping up the innings and confining the visitors to a modest total of 218.
Head Coach Rahul Dravid presents a special memento to R Ashwin ahead of his 100th Test